RALEIGH, NC - The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-2, 5-2) set a team and conference season high with its 479 net rushing yards while defeating the NC State Wolfpack (5-5, 1-5) on the road at Carter Finley Stadium with the final score 56-23. The last time the Jackets had more yards on the ground was in the record-breaking match against the Kansas Jayhawks in 2011.
While the box score highlights Tech’s power running game, the defense stole the show in the second quarter by forcing three Wolfpack turnovers.
In their first drive in the second quarter, NC State was threatening a go-ahead score from Tech’s 5 yard line before a well-defended pass by NCSU quarterback Jacoby Brissett got tipped off of GT Chris Milton’s foot into the hands of linebacker Quayshawn Nealy for the interception. During the attempt to run the ball back for the pick six, NCSU fullback Jaylen Samuels caught up with Nealy on his 71 yard trek and stripped the ball from behind to give the ball back to NC State.
Exactly two plays later, Tech’s DJ White gets redemption by reading Brissett’s eyes for the interception and 38 yard touchdown return to help Georgia Tech gain a 21-13 advantage. The Tech defense, however, was still not done with taking advantage of Wolfpack’s offense.
